When it comes to exercise, two of the most common approaches people turn to are Pilates and strength training. Both can play a valuable role in improving health, preventing injury, and enhancing resilience, but they do so through different mechanisms. Understanding the benefits and limitations of each approach, and the evidence supporting them, can help you make an informed decision about which type of training is best suited to your goals.

Pilates

Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that focuses on controlled movement, posture, flexibility, and core stability. Research shows that Pilates can improve muscle endurance, movement control, and quality of life, particularly in people with chronic low back pain. It is often recommended in rehabilitation settings because of its adaptable and graded approach, which can restore confidence in movement while minimising aggravation of pain. (Wells et al., 2014; Yamato et al., 2015).

Read More

Thyroid disorders can vary in presentation, here we are going to focus on the two most common: HYPOthyroidism and HYPERthyroidism. The cause for both is commonly a result of autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's and Graves’ disease, or less commonly, Iodine deficiency (mostly in countries located further from the ocean). Thyroid conditions affect millions of people globally and while pharmacological treatment remains essential, physiotherapy is emerging as a valuable tool in managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

What does our thyroid do?

The thyroid is essential for production of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones, primarily T3 and T4 are hormones that are critical for controlling body functions including: metabolism, growth and development, cardiovascular function, nervous system function, body temperature regulation, digestive function, and skin and hair health.

Read More

If you’ve ever felt a sudden leak while laughing, sneezing, exercising—or even just walking to the bathroom—you’re not alone. Up to 45% of women experience urinary incontinence (UI) at some point in their lives (1). Whether it’s a few drops during a workout or a sudden urge that’s hard to control, Urinary Incontinence can impact confidence, relationships, and quality of life. But here’s the truth: incontinence is common, treatable, and not something youhave to “just live with.”

Urinary incontinence is treatable, and pelvic health physiotherapy is here to help. This blog breaks down the basics of UI, why it happens, and what you can do to start feeling more confident and in control.

Read More

If you're dealing with nagging shoulder pain that just won’t go away, you're not alone. A common cause of this pain is rotator cuff tendinopathy — a condition that affects the muscles and tendons that help move and stabilise your shoulder.

The good news? A group of international experts recently released updated guidelines (2025) on how to best manage this type of shoulder pain. Here's what they found — in simple, easy-to-understand terms.

What Is Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy?

The rotator cuff is a group of four small muscles and tendons around the shoulder joint. They help you lift, reach, and rotate your arm. These tendons can become irritated over time from:

Read More

Introduction

Pitch-based sports such as rugby, GAA and soccer demand rapid acceleration, cutting, and repetitive loading. These movements create high forces through the feet, ankles, knees, and hips. Physiotherapists often use foot orthotics, custom or prefabricated, to optimise biomechanics, reduce injury risk, and enhance performance.

1. Biomechanical Control & Shock Attenuation

Foot orthoses can limit excessive subtalar joint eversion and internal tibial rotation, both linked to overuse injuries. A meta-analysis by Mills et al. (2010) found that posted moulded orthoses reduced peak rearfoot eversion by ~2.1° and tibial internal rotation by ~1.3°, while also decreasing loading rates during running

Read More

When most people think of training for running, the first things that come to mind are logging kilometres, interval sessions, and maybe some stretching. But one of the most powerful ways to improve running performance, reduce injury risk, and support long-term health is strength training.

Below, we’ll explore why strength training matters for runners—and what the science says.

1. Injury Prevention

Running is a repetitive, high-impact activity. Each step can load your joints and muscles with forces of 2–3 times your body weight. Without adequate muscular support, this load can overwhelm tissues and can lead to overuse injuries such as shin splints, runner’s knee, or tendon issues.

Read More

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries we see in clinical practice—and they’re also one of the most underestimated. Whether it happens during a sports match, a hike, or simply stepping awkwardly off a curb, a sprained ankle can range from mildly inconvenient to seriously debilitating.

As physiotherapists, our goal is to not only treat ankle sprains but also to shift the common mindset around them. So let’s talk about what’s really going on when you “roll your ankle” and why proper rehab is crucial for long-term recovery and injury prevention.

Read More

Bringing a new life into the world is a monumental experience—but it’s also one of the most physically demanding journeys a woman can go through. Whether you’ve had a vaginal delivery or a caesarean section, your body undergoes profound changes during pregnancy and childbirth. These changes often affect your pelvic floor muscles, abdominal wall, posture, and even breathing mechanics.

Seeking advice from a women’s health physio can provide a safe, empowering space designed to support you—not just back to “normal”—but toward thriving in your new chapter of motherhood.

Read More